Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 31 May 2012
31 May 2012 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Scotland’s Future
I never thought that the First Minister had self-esteem issues, but reading out the number of followers that he has on Twitter to prove how good he is is a whole new level of anxiety for the First Minister.
The First Minister started by talking about the importance of working together on climate change. The message from that is that, in the world that we live in, the more we co-operate and the more we come together to identify the key problems and act on them, the better, rather than making our prospectus one of separation.
The First Minister also raises the issue of the reconvened Scottish Parliament. This is not a reconvened Scottish Parliament. This is the first Scottish Parliament that is elected under universal suffrage, which allows women as well as men to be here. It is not an exclusive club for the landed gentry in Scotland. It says everything about the First Minister that he imagines that there is any connection between that Parliament and this body, which was created to make a difference to the lives of people.
The fact of the matter is that, as someone who passionately believes that sovereignty lies with the Scottish people, I also believe that we have an independence whose proof does not require the First Minister to be given a new title. We, as a nation, were never conquered. The United Kingdom has not been imposed on us. It is the choice of Scots to share power with our neighbours on these small islands, as we are stronger together. Indeed, had Scotland been a separate country right now, I believe that we would be seriously looking at creating the type of union that we currently enjoy—the type of social, economic and political union that has brought us 300 years of peace and stability and allows us to weather the worst economic crisis of our lifetime, following the collapse of the banking sector.
I believe that, without Scotland, the United Kingdom would cease to exist, because we built the United Kingdom with our neighbours.
The First Minister started by talking about the importance of working together on climate change. The message from that is that, in the world that we live in, the more we co-operate and the more we come together to identify the key problems and act on them, the better, rather than making our prospectus one of separation.
The First Minister also raises the issue of the reconvened Scottish Parliament. This is not a reconvened Scottish Parliament. This is the first Scottish Parliament that is elected under universal suffrage, which allows women as well as men to be here. It is not an exclusive club for the landed gentry in Scotland. It says everything about the First Minister that he imagines that there is any connection between that Parliament and this body, which was created to make a difference to the lives of people.
The fact of the matter is that, as someone who passionately believes that sovereignty lies with the Scottish people, I also believe that we have an independence whose proof does not require the First Minister to be given a new title. We, as a nation, were never conquered. The United Kingdom has not been imposed on us. It is the choice of Scots to share power with our neighbours on these small islands, as we are stronger together. Indeed, had Scotland been a separate country right now, I believe that we would be seriously looking at creating the type of union that we currently enjoy—the type of social, economic and political union that has brought us 300 years of peace and stability and allows us to weather the worst economic crisis of our lifetime, following the collapse of the banking sector.
I believe that, without Scotland, the United Kingdom would cease to exist, because we built the United Kingdom with our neighbours.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (John Scott)
Con
The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-03113, in the name of Alex Salmond, on Scotland’s future. I invite members who wish to speak in the debat...
The First Minister (Alex Salmond)
SNP
I will abide by your strictures, Presiding Officer. I have just come back from launching Scotland’s climate justice fund with the former Irish President, Mar...
Willie Rennie (Mid Scotland and Fife) (LD)
LD
If the First Minister is giving the Parliament a choice and a decision today, why does he not trust the people of Scotland with a decision today?
The First Minister
SNP
Willie Rennie is out of date. The Prime Minister, who leads his coalition partners, has said that he is “not fussed” about the date of the referendum. All th...
Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab)
Lab
Given what the coalition Government is now doing in Westminster, does the First Minister regret advising people in England to vote Liberal?
The First Minister
SNP
Of all the people who have regrets about the Liberal Democrats, their thousands of erstwhile supporters will be up there rather more than me. Perhaps Johann ...
The First Minister
SNP
I will give way to a member of a party that may or may not have 3,000 members left.
Ruth Davidson
Con
Does the First Minister count among his number my deputy, all the political editors of Scotland and everyone else whose Twitter picture was harvested and use...
The First Minister
SNP
No. We have managed to extract them all from the website. We have taken oot Donald Duck, Osama bin Laden and Johann Lamont. They have all been taken oot of t...
Hugh Henry (Renfrewshire South) (Lab)
Lab
Will the member give way?
The First Minister
SNP
No, thank you.Tommy Brennan—Interruption.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
Order.
The First Minister
SNP
I have taken three interventions so far. I am not sure that the member’s intervention would be any better than the first three.Tommy Brennan, one of Scotland...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
Order.
The First Minister
SNP
I do not know whether that laugh was for Tommy Brennan but, in my opinion, he did more for Scottish industry than any member on the Labour benches.Paul Lesli...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
Order. Thank you.15:08
Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab)
Lab
I never thought that the First Minister had self-esteem issues, but reading out the number of followers that he has on Twitter to prove how good he is is a w...
Margo MacDonald (Lothian) (Ind)
Ind
Could we start as we mean to go on, with facts? Although Johann Lamont takes issue with Winnie Ewing’s statement that this is the Scottish Parliament continu...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
An esoteric point. Thank you very much.
Johann Lamont
Lab
I was making a more important point, which is that this Parliament—a new, modern, thriving place where the people’s priorities are decided—is what we should ...
The Cabinet Secretary for Parliamentary Business and Government Strategy (Bruce Crawford)
SNP
It was Johann Lamont who raised the issue at First Minister’s question time.
Johann Lamont
Lab
I know that I raised it at First Minister’s question time. I did so because I was optimistic that I might get an answer. Evidently, I did not.
Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green)
Green
Earlier today, at First Minister’s question time, Johann Lamont raised serious questions that are in need of serious answers. I wish that she would stick to ...
Johann Lamont
Lab
I absolutely accept that, but I say to Patrick Harvie that, while we conduct that debate, we should also be getting on with the business of challenging the k...
The Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth (John Swinney)
SNP
If Johann Lamont reflects on her speech in yesterday’s debate, in which she had the opportunity to provide constructive solutions or suggestions to deal with...
Johann Lamont
Lab
That is simply not true. I suggest that Mr Swinney looks at what I said—Interruption.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
Order! Enough!
Johann Lamont
Lab
We need a plan for business; we need to be working and talking to the banks; we need to stop cutting housing; and we need to invest in the further education ...
Kevin Stewart (Aberdeen Central) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member give way?
Johann Lamont
Lab
I think that I have taken enough interventions for the moment.The nationalists judge their strength by their tools, not by the quality of what they can build...